Japanarchism

I'm just wondering if anybody knows of any good books on the history of the anarchist movement in Japan? I'm off to live there for a while soon and want some background. I've read 'The Anarchist movement in Japan' by John Crump but need something a bit more detailed. Any suggestions?

I can't think of a single comprehensive book about Japanese anarchism, but Osugi Sakae: Anarchist in Taisho Japan and The Autobiography of Osugi Sakae both cover the early period of anarchsim in Japan during the era of "Taisho Democracy."

The era of Japanese fascism and the post-WWII period has scant coverage in English unfortunately. Crump's article is all that's currently available.

Anyway, if you go to Tokyo do visit Mosakusha the anarchist bookstore in Shinjuku Ward (Shinjuku 2-4-9.) You'll be able to connect to local anarchist groups. Take a look into the Freeters Union (Freeters are temp workers), an anrcho-syndicalist outfit.

If you want a „light" introduction (novelization...) There is a novel about the life of Ito Noe. Look under that name on internet or wikipedia. She was killed during a fascist military take over after an earth quake in some province city, together with Sakae and their chield. The novel touches all this.

More scientific „heavy stuff" would be Philippe Pelletier, A forgotten from consensus: Anarcho-syndicalism in Japan 1911 to 1934, I believe it has been translated to English. You may also look for Per Bylund, Swedish politologue („anarcho-capitalist"), or Manfred Pohl, German japanologue. Those guys use to publish in English to get international recognition. http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_archives/worldwidemovements/japanbiblio.html

Some japanese comrades planned to publish an updated and English version of a Mexican title: (Asher told you)
Museifushugi: The Revolutionary Idea in Japan, jointly authored by Victor Garcia and Wat Tyler, to be published by Cienfuegos Press in mid-1980.

Also, in any good public library, look for a general introduction of Japanese workers movement / unions. There will be some chapter(s) on historic anarcho-syndicalism, because in Japan all started with it, Socialist Party has a/s origin...(sigh). It's in some way comparable to the history of French CGT.

General sociological introduction : „Modern Japanese Society, Handbook of Oriental Studies". If you’re going to pass some time in Japan it might be usefull, because it’s a very different culture and mentality . This book is online and free: (use advanced research on google: „Modern Japanese Society")
See the chapter on Minorities in Japan here, the part about Hyatoi (day-laborers) which gives you a first insight and access to the actual „freeter"-union thematic.

Three Japanese Anarchists: Kotoku, Osugi and Yamaga
Kate Sharpley Library, 2000. 30p, 21cm. 1-873605-62-5 pamphlet £1.50 / $3
Victor Garcia (sometimes known as 'the Marco Polo of anarchism' for the length and breadth of his travels) recounts the stories of three of the major figures of Japanese anarchism, each shedding light on the wider social context as well as the struggles of the Japanese anarchist movement.

Some japanese comrades planned to publish an updated and English version of a Mexican title: (Asher told you)
Museifushugi: The Revolutionary Idea in Japan, jointly authored by Victor Garcia and Wat Tyler, to be published by Cienfuegos Press in mid-1980.

The pamphlet that Asher was talking about is different to this one. He was talking about a pamphlet written by a New Zealand Anarchist, Matthew Turner in the late 90's.

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